Presumptive Health Initiative

A presumptive disability law links a particular occupation with a disease or condition that has been shown to be a hazard associated with that occupation. As a result of this linkage, if an individual employed in the occupation covered by the presumption contracts a disease or condition that is specified in the presumptive law, then that disease or condition is presumed to have come from that occupation. In this case, the burden of proof shifts from the employee to the employer to demonstrate that the condition was not in fact associated with the occupation but with another cause.

For fire fighters and emergency medical responders, scientific evidence has demonstrated an increased risk for heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and infectious diseases. At this time, most of the United States and Canadian provinces have some form of presumptive law that applies to fire fighters and emergency response personnel. These laws vary greatly between states and provinces.

The IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety & Medicine has developed an information database of the current presumptive disability provisions in the United States and Canada.

Click here to view Presumptive Health Menu from IAFF.org website.

Information linked from IAFF Offical Website.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com

Climbing the ladder while watching the rear-view mirror

Written by Lou Wilde, Assistant Chief, Kelowna BC

Sometimes, with the busy lives we all lead, we forget where we’ve come from. It happens to all of us to some extent in our personal lives and our careers. I hope as a chief officer I haven’t lost too much perspective about what it’s like in the trenches. I’m sure I could still charge a hand line and set a relief valve correctly but I don’t get out of bed nine times on a night shift anymore. I do my best to keep in touch with those who are still doing the job out there every day and night.

Talking with a fellow chief about this recently, we discussed the newer junior officers (lieutenants and captains). We remarked that every now and then these newly minted officers forget that they used to be grunts doing the dirty jobs, or how when they were firefighters they were the smart alecs who often challenged officers on their decisions. Now, these new officers have no tolerance for the firefighters they used to be – the shoe’s on the other foot. The same goes for training. Before, as firefighters, these guys perhaps thought that repetitive drills on basic skills were pointless but now, as officers, they realize that the onus is on them to keep their people safe.

To read full article, click here.

Article published on Firefightingincanada.com.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

West Kelowna Wildfire T-Shirts

"As a community, you really pulled together. I'm proud to be your mayor," stated West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater. This statement is taken from a speech given at the appreciation night at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna held to say thank you to fire fighters and all first responders following the wildfires of 2009.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue is selling commemorative t-shirts of the 2009 Wildfires and net proceeds are being donated to the local community food bank.

T-shirts are available through West Kelowna Fire Rescue at 250-769-1640 ext 4 or email Laura.MacLeod@districtofwestkelowna.ca. Men's, Ladies and Youth sizes available for $20.00/each.

Men's navy t-shirt picture shown, ladies available on brown or navy Bella ladies cut shirt and youth is available on red or camoflague t-shirts.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com

West Kelowna thanks its heroes

A small but enthusiastic crowd turned up at Royal LePage Place Wednesday to say thank you to fire fighters and first responders following the wildfires of 2009.

Dubbed 'Facing The Fires - A Night To Remember,' the evening gave residents of the community a chance to say thank you after the near devastating Glenrosa, Rose Valley and Terrace Mountain fires.

The kudos went both way.

"As a community, you really pulled together. I'm proud to be your mayor," stated West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater.

"We're a new community," added Findlater, "but we're going places."

Those sentiments were echoed by EOC Deputy Director Jason Johnson, West Kelowna Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler and others who spoke to the crowd.

"This is a time to reflect, a time to celebrate and a time to thank people who did such a good job this summer," says Findlater.

The mayor, who himself was one of the first to be evacuated when the Glenrosa fire broke out on July 18, says the community was fortunate to have professionals looking after every detail up and down the ranks.

After going through emergency preparedness training in the spring, he says it would have been easy as mayor to get involved in operational issues.

"The mayor, the council and the elected officials have to stay back at the policy level and let the professionals do their job. All of the firefighting was done with such excellence, such professionalism."

Findlater says the one memory he'll take away is the work of those in the air, especially during the early hours of the fire.

"I watched those with my mouth wide open as I looked at those aircraft. The water bomber wobbling as it went over Gorman's mill in 70km winds trying to save that mill. Really gutsy stuff."

Fire Chief Wayne Schnitzler says a celebration such as Wednesday's helps to put closure on a very challenging summer.

"It really challenged us as people, it challenged us a a fire department and at the end of the day, the outcome could have been so much worse," says Schnitzler.

During the entire ordeal, Schnitzler says he really never thought about things emotionally.

"I think it's over the years of experience you get. You go into work mode and you don't have time for emotions. You do your job and make decisions that affect peoples lives and properties."

In all, 11,000 West Kelowna residents were forced out of their homes as a result of both the Glenrosa and Rose Valley fires.

Story by Wayne Moore, Castanet.net.


Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com/

King Township wins vehicle safety award

Oct 14, King Township, ONT.

King Fire and Emergency Services has won the 2009 Emergency Vehicle Safe Operation Achievement Award, an international honour presented annually by the volunteer and combination officers section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The King Township Sentinel reports. READ MORE

Article courtesay of King Township Sentinel at www.kingsentinel.com.

Becky Harmata
The Fire Emporium
Toll Free: 866-832-1468
Fax: 250-769-3588
Email: info@fireemporium.com
Web: http://www.fireemporium.com